Vitali Klitschko vs Chris Arreola

Klitschko vs ArreolaWBC World Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko will defend his title against US-American Chris Arreola at Staples Center, Los Angeles (CA) on September, 26.

Bernd Bönte, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group: „I am glad that the negotiations are over and we are able to present the fight that boxing fans all over the world want to see. Both Vitali and Chris are known as superb punchers and a fight over 12 rounds will be very unlikely to happen. We can all look forward to a spectacular event.“

For 38-year-old Vitali Klitschko it is the third fight at the famous Staples Center, home of NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. “I am so happy to fight in LA again. The 2003 fight against Lennox Lewis was my international breakthrough and just one year later I became WBC Champion for the first time against Corrie Sanders in that arena. Chris Arreola is one the strongest opponents I can think of. He is young, unbeaten, very confident and has a hard punch on his side. I will not underestimate him but no doubt, I will leave California as the world champion again”, says Klitschko..

Vitali Klitschko became world champion of the WBO in 1999, WBC champion in 2004 and regained the WBC belt again in October 2008. Only few champions were able to win the belt in the heavyweight division that often. Amongst them are Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

Vitali Klitschko has a professional record of 37 wins (36 by KO) and two defeats due to injury.

Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola is 28 years old and lives in Los Angeles. His professional record is 27 wins with 24 knockouts. His last fight was in March when he knocked out former world title challenger Jameel McCline in round 4. Further, Arreola is holding the NABF Heavyweight title as well as the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title. Arreola is ranked as WBC #1, IBF #2 and WBO #4.

Chris Arreola: „It is the chance of a lifetime to have a fight in my hometown against the best heavyweight of the world. Truly, a dream comes true. Klitschko‘s last opponents did not have the class I have. I will take the advantage and grab Vitali’s belt. I will be the first Mexican on the heavyweight throne.“

The fight will be broadcast live by RTL in Germany and in the US by HBO, America’s boxing channel #1.

TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. PT FOR WBC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION VITALI KLITSCHKO AND UNDEFEATED CRISTOBAL ARREOLA MEGA MATCHUP AT STAPLES CENTER ON SEPT. 26

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 14, 2009) –- Ticket prices for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight world title fight between champion Vitali “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko and No. 1-ranked Cristobal “The Nightmare’’ Arreola will start as low $25 when they go on sale beginning Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. PT

The historic 12-round fight will take place at STAPLES Center, site of Thursday’s packed-house press conference that included Klitschko and Arreola talking to the media about how they plan to win the Saturday, Sept. 26 battle.

It was mentioned on several occasions on Thursday that the tickets are priced right for the sports fan and that 70 percent of the seats are priced at $100 or less.

“We feel the tickets are priced right for the fans for a fight of this magnitude,” said Dan Beckerman, Chief Operating Officer, AEG. “We want to be sure all the boxing fans in Los Angeles have the opportunity to see this fight.”

Tickets can be purchased at all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be available at the STAPLES Center Box Office Monday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25.

Klitschko, of Los Angeles and Hamburg, Germany, brings a record of 37-2 with 36 knockouts into what will be an exciting, hotly contested 12-round showdown. The dangerous-punching Arreola, of Riverside, California, via East Los Angeles, is 27-0 with 24 KOs.

Klitschko has been involved in the only two heavyweight world title fights to emanate from the internationally-known home of the NBA Champion Lakers, STAPLES Center. He is 1-1, but both matches were unforgettable. The first – against then- champion Lennox Lewis on June 21, 2003 – was a bloody, exhilarating slugfest that resulted in a hotly disputed victory for Lewis.

The world title fight, which will be promoted by K2 Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, will air Live on HBO at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Doors will open at STAPLES Center on Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.